Settling in by a warm fire
is one of life’s greatest pleasures. If your home has a fireplace, pellet stove
or wood stove, then you probably look forward to spending nights curled up next
to the fire, enjoying
the cozy atmosphere and the warmth it brings to your home.
On the other hand, having a
fireplace, pellet stove or wood stove in your home also means added safety
risks and additional line items to your home maintenance checklist. Failing to
properly clean and maintain your chimney not only increases your chances of having a fire, but could also
lead to accidentally allowing harmful gases into your home.
While the importance of
maintaining a clean chimney may be common knowledge, recognizing when it needs
to be cleaned may not be. Follow these recommended tips for recognizing when
it’s time to call a chimney sweep in preparation for dropping temperatures and to keep your home safe.
Here are 4 important signs
that indicate it is time to clean your chimney:
1. Your fire is burning
poorly
The trick to a good fire is a
steady air flow. Having difficulty starting fires or maintaining them over
several hours can be an indication that something is blocking air flow in the
chimney.
2. Your fireplace or
chimney is emitting a strong odor
A well-maintained fireplace
will smell like burning wood. If your fireplace or chimney is emitting a
strong, foul-smelling odor, it can be an indication that creosote has built up
in the chimney. Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood and can build up over
time, restricting airflow to your fire and, subsequently, leading to faster
creosote buildup. Strong odors may also be accompanied by other odorless gases
that may cause harm, such as carbon monoxide. It is also important that your
carbon monoxide detector is working properly to ensure your safety just in case
any dangerous gases enter your home.
3. You notice a buildup of
smoke while burning a fire
Smoke that builds up in
your fireplace and enters your home is an indication that there is blockage in
the chimney.
4. You hear small animals
or birds
Small animals such as
squirrels can find their way into chimneys from the top and have a habit of
making homes inside the chimney. Similarly, it’s common for birds to create
nests near or on the chimney or the roofline.
If you are experiencing any
of these situations, consider calling your local chimney sweep. While it’s
possible to clean a chimney out yourself, this is a job that you may want to
leave to the professionals who will know exactly what to look for and what
steps to take in keeping your home as safe as possible.
Be proactive!
The best way to avoid
chimney fires
and ensure that your fireplace, pellet stove or wood stove is always ready for
use in cold weather is to have it cleaned ahead of time. Set a reminder for
yourself in the Spring or
Summer to call your local chimney sweep. That way, when it’s time to start heating
your home you’ll be ready to go!
